Phyto-synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its bioactivity response towards nosocomial bacterial pathogens

Abstract The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major concern for public health. In this study, naturally occurring plant Juniperus chinensis leaf (JCL) extract used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with enhanced antimicrobial effect. The unresolved phyto-protein synthesis mechanism of AgNPs was preliminarily detected by LCMS/MS analysis. The study revealed that the non-specific lipid transfer protein (LTP) and Cytochrome b 559 subunit beta were detected from JCL could be responsible for AgNPs synthesis. The JCL protein readily reacts with the AgNO 3 to form highly stable AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD and HRTEM analysis. Further, the antibacterial mechanism of AgNPs was analyzed by electron microscopy and CLSM analysis. Moreover, the AgNPs showed the potent anticancer effect on the human adenocarcinoma gastric (AGS) cell lines. The current study will provide additional support to overcome the limitations of large-scale NPs synthesis which could be used to alternate source for conventional antibiotics.